The closed Lingfield Countryside Centre in Middlesbrough and its surrounding green land is to be given a new lease of life.

Lingfield Farm in Coulby Newham was last used as the Lingfield Countryside Centre, from 2000 to 2010. Since its closure in November 2010, the buildings have been largely unused and are currently empty.

The site had been considered as part of a large housing development where 1,000 new houses would be built by 2029.

But, after a bid to save the green land by ward councillors Janice Brunton and Geoff Cole, along with a group of residents, it has been agreed that the site will be considered for a CAT (Community Asset Transfer), following consultation by council chiefs.

Coulby Newham Juniors FC and South Coulby Residents Group, who formed to become South Coulby Residents Association (SRCA), expressed interest to use the centre for community use and the adjacent open space for football. The CAT excludes the farmhouse which would be too expensive to bring back into use by the group, so it is proposed that the council markets this building on a tender basis.

It was agreed at a meeting of the executive sub-committee for property to grant a 12 month rolling licence to occupy/lease to the SCRA prior to CAT. This would mean the facility is immediately available to the community. A council report added this would be “cost neutral to the council”.

Cllr Brunton said: “We have tried to retain this green space from the beginning and to find a use for the Countryside Centre. We have supported the residents’ group in this bid.”